Transfer wideout Dante Cephas set to arrive at Penn State
An expected big piece to Penn State’s offensive puzzle in 2023 will arrive on campus this weekend. Former Kent State wide receiver Dante Cephas, the Nittany Lions’ top Transfer Portal pickup this offseason, is set to start classes at University Park on Monday. Cephas talked to BWI on Monday to clarify his plans.
“I’m graduating this week, on Thursday, and I’ll be headed up to Penn State on Sunday,” said Cephas. “I’ve been up there to watch a few practices. I like the energy. I can’t wait to get up there and get around the guys and play with them. It’s good coaching, everybody is locked in this year and we’re ready to roll.”
The 6-foot, 185-pound Cephas was the No. 8 wide receiver in the Transfer Portal according to the On3 transfer rankings. He was a top target for the Nittany Lions from the time he entered the portal back in December. He committed in January and spent the spring semester at Kent State to finish out his undergraduate degree.
Originally from Penn Hills High School in Pittsburgh, Cephas arrived at Kent State as a three-star prospect according to the On3 Industry Rankings in the Class of 2019. He was a high school teammate of current Nittany Lions Daequan Hardy and Tank Smith and won a state title with his team as a senior. Both players hosted Cephas on his official visit in early December. Cephas will live with Hardy at Penn State when he arrives on campus, he said.
Cephas hoping to give Penn State a deep threat outside
Across his four seasons with the Golden Flashes, Cephas racked up 145 receptions for 2,139 yards and 12 touchdown catches. He averaged 14.8 yards per catch and helped Kent State reach the MAC title game a year ago.
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Cephas hopes to help the Nittany Lions stretch the field in 2023.
“They’re really trying to move me around anywhere, but they want me to learn the outside positions first,” he said. “Then as I get comfortable they’ll start moving me around outside and inside. I think I bring a lot of deep ball, vertical game. I also want to bring some of those shorter and intermediate routes to the offense.”
Penn State head coach James Franklin said coming out of the spring that the Nittany Lions will need to get more out of the position with a first-time starter taking the field in September.
“I think we need some more depth and competition at wide receiver, because I do think we could get by West Virginia or by game four or game five, I think we could have six guys that we feel good about,” he said after the Blue-White Game. “But it’s not competitive right now.”
